Harold “Harry” Hoffman, 86, of Austin, died at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home Friday morning, April 8, 2011.

Harold Francis Hoffman was born March 21, 1925, to Willis and Ingeborg “Belle” (Prestegaard) Hoffman in Riceland Township, Freeborn County, Minn. He attended country school through the eighth-grade. At that time he was needed to help farm the family’s 240 acres. He joined the Minnesota State Guard, 1st Motorcycle Company, because he wasn’t old enough to enlist. He later served with the United States Navy from 1943 to 1946. He spent all of his service time in the South Pacific and Pacific. He received two Bronze Stars for Meritorious Service. He served aboard the USS Casa Grande during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, for which he received a Silver Star. He also served in the United States Air Force Reserve during 1951-1953 and commissioned 2nd Lt. as a pilot. While on leave from the Navy, he was united in marriage to Ruth Winslow on Feb. 17, 1945, in Austin. They had four children; Carol, Roger, Janet and Lori. Ruth passed away on Aug. 22, 1976. Following his military service, he worked as a painter, at the local co-op, and was later employed by the Geo. A. Hormel Company for more than 30 years, retiring in 1986. On Sept. 25, 1981, Harry married Karen DeFrang. Karen passed away Dec. 1, 2003. Harold was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1216, American Legion Post 91, and the Eagles Club. Harry was well known for fixing lawn mowers and was very good at small engine repair. In his younger years, he enjoyed hunting pheasants, fishing, and bowling. In recent years he enjoyed playing Bingo.

Survivors include his children, Carol (Mike) Scott of St. Petersburg, Fla, Roger Hoffman of Austin, Janet (Tom) Lenoch of Columbia Falls, Mont., Lori (Mike) Golly of Loveland, Colo.; step-son, Jeff (RuthAnn) DeFrang of Savage; grandchildren, Eric Heimsness, Dana Johnson, Lee Begnaud and Kim Holst, all of Minnesota, Jill Nikunen and Kristin Austin of Montana, Rebekah Pezanowski and Sarah Lenoch of Washington, and CPL Travis Golly, USMC-deployed; 15 great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Harriet Hoffman, Betty Jorgenson, and Karen (Jerry) Becker; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; wives, Ruth and Karen; three brothers Joseph, Wilfred “Bud”, and Leslie Hoffman; two sisters, Genevieve Jordet and Orla Knutson.

Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 14, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with Rev. Ron Barnett officiating. Friends may call at the Worlein Funeral Home in Austin from 4 to p.m. Wednesday and at the church one hour prior to the service on Thursday. Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery, Austin. American Legion Post 91 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1216 are in charge of military rites. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.